Planes, trains, automobiles and buses will all get you to New York: The trick is knowing which one is right for you. Here's how to get from here to there .

** PLANE **: Many carriers offer service from Washington area airports to Newark, LaGuardia and JFK, starting at about $140 round trip, with restrictions. Once on the ground, here's how to get into town:

# From JFK (718-244-4444, http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/jfkframe.HTM). Taxi fare for the 15-mile, 40- to 60-minute trip to Manhattan costs $45 plus tolls (about $4) and tip. (From Manhattan to the airport, the cost is metered fare, plus tolls/tip.) For $5, the AirTrain JFK takes you to the Long Island Rail Road and E, J/Z subways at Jamaica station and the A subway at the Howard Beach station, from which it's a 60- to 75-minute ride to midtown. MetroCard, used for subways and buses, costs $2 per ride and is available at the airport and subway stations. Info: 718-330- 1234, http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us.

# From LaGuardia (718-533-3400, http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/lgaframe.HTM). Taxi fare for the eight-mile, 30- to 45-minute trip costs $30-$65, $22-$35 for groups, plus tolls ($4.50) and tip. The M60 public bus, which stops at the terminal, goes to 125th Street and Lexington Avenue, and other stops.

SuperShuttle charges $15-$17 to Manhattan. For the 40- to 60-minute ride, New York Airport Service Express Bus charges $12 one way, $21 round trip between LaGuardia and Grand Central Terminal, Port Authority and Penn Station. Airlink shared van is $13 to midtown.

The AirTrain leaves from the gate level and connects to the Rail Link Station, where you can access trains to NYC's Penn Station (one way on NJ Transit is $14 and takes 30 minutes; one way on Amtrak is $28 and takes 23 minutes). Info: 800-626-7433, http://www.njtransit.com; 800-872-7245,http://www.amtrak.com.

Several other companies offer service to New York City's Chinatown and midtown on the West Side. Schedules, locations and tickets can be booked at Gotobus.com (no phone) for $20 - $25 one way/$35-$40 round trip, plus $1 surcharge. Washington Deluxe (866-287-6932, http://www.washny.com) and Vamoose (877-393- 2828,http://www.vamoosebus.com) also can be booked on their own sites with no service fee.

**TRAIN**: Amtrak's Acela Express train goes from D.C.'s Union Station to New York's Penn Station in 2 hours 45 minutes; one-way fares are $135. The twice daily, three-hour trip on the Metroliner starts at $135 one way in business class. Fares for regional service (about 3 1/2 hours) range from $63 to $120 one way. Info: 800-872-7245, http://www.amtrak.com.·

**CAR**: It takes about 4 1/2 hours to drive the 238 miles from the Beltway to NYC. Consider parking in New Jersey and taking a New Jersey Transit or PATH train or a ferry into town.

# Trains from Hoboken. PATH trains operate daily from Hoboken to several stops in Manhattan for $1.50 each way; commute time to West 33rd Street is 14 minutes. Paid parking available nearby. Info: 800-234-7284, http://www.panynj.gov/path/index.html.

# Trains from Metropark. The Metropark station is convenient to the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway and has parking for $5 daily. New Jersey Transit trains along the Northeast Corridor line go into NYC; the train to Penn Station costs $7.25 one way. Amtrak also stops at Metropark, from $30 one way.

# Trains from other New Jersey spots. Parking and trains are available at other stops on the Northeast Corridor, including Elizabeth. Info: 800-626-7433, http://www.njtransit.com.

# Boats from New Jersey ports. NY Waterway operates ferries from Belford, Jersey City, Hoboken and Weehawken to numerous points in Manhattan. Fares start at $3.50 each way. Metered parking and private lots are available in Hoboken; at Weehawken's Port Imperial lot, rates are $7 to $8 daily; Jersey City's Liberty Harbor Terminal has parking for $7 a day; and parking at Belford is free. Free shuttle buses connect to points in Manhattan. Info: 800-533-3779, http://www.nywaterway.com. You can also take a New York Water Taxi, which offers service from Jersey City to Manhattan on weekdays only for $4.50 one way. Info: 212-742-1969, http://www.nywatertaxi.com.·

**FOR MORE INFORMATION**: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, 212-435- 7000, http://www.panynj.gov.